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S. D. SHATTUOK. FIRE ESCAPE LADDER.

Patented Sept. 25, 1888. 7 1 5. 2.-

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- UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE.

STEPHEN D, SHATTUOK, OF GOHOCTON, NFRV YORK.

FIRE-ESCAPE LADDER.

SPECIFICATIdN forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 285,690, dated September 25, 1883.

Application filed February 23,1893. (No model.)

My invention relates to an improvement in fire-escape ladders; and it consists, first, in the combination of a suitable curved support which is placed above the top of the window,

with a second smaller support which is placed below the bottom of the window, lower down, and a ladder which is hung upon the upper support, and which is adapted to be moved around in front of the windows; second, in a ladder which is hung upon a suitable support and divided into a long and a short portion, the longer portion being swiveled upon the shorter one, so that it can be turned at an angle when so desired; third, in the combination of a suitableisupport, a ladder which is made in two parts, the longer one of which is swiveled upon the shorter, and a suitable guide which is secured to the shorter portion, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide a fire-escape ladder which when not in use can be closed back against the side of the house, and which. when desired for use can be moved around in front of the window and then turned at an angle, so as to adapt it for use in any position desired.

Figure 1 is an edge view of my invention complete. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, showing the ladder moved around in front of the window. Fig. 3 ,is a perspective of the upper portion of the ladder, showing how the two parts are connected together. Fig. 4 is a plan View.

Secured to the side of the house, above any one of the windows, are the two curved guides and supports A, which will extend out any desired distance beyond the window. These supports are made rounding at one end, so

supports will serve as a guide for the lower end of the ladder.

The ladder is made in two sections, D E. the upper one, D, being quite short and hav ing but a single round, which catches over the supports A, while the lower section, IE, will be made of any length desired and extend down any desired number of stories. The lower section is swiveled upon the upper one, so that it can be swung around at an angle to the upper one, and in order to limit and guide the lower part in itsmovement a suitable curved guide, I, is secured to the upper section, and to this guide the free end of the lower section of the ladder is attached in any suitable manner, so as to move freely back and forth thereon.

-\Vhile the ladder is not in position it will rest against the side of the house, at one side of the windows, so as to be entirely out of the way; but in case of fire a person has only to reach out of the window and swing the ladder around into position in front of the window. The ladder may then be used either asit extends vertically downward, or its lower end may be raised up far enough to disengage it from the lower support or guides, and then the lower portion of the ladder may be turned at an angle to the upper section, as shown, and the lower end of this lower section will then bear against or upon the lower supports, so as to hold it steady while being used. By thus swiveling the lower section of the ladder upon the upper one the ladder is adapted to be used freely in either one of the two positions, as may be found the most desirable. After'the ladder has been used it can be moved back against the wall again, where it is entirely out of the way. Even in this position against the wall it is near enough to the windows by which it passes for persons who do not understand its use to get out upon the ladder and to climb down upon it to a lower story.

tance at its lower end the fire will rise up under the ladder without touching it or the person upon it.

In order to limit the movement of theladder and to hold it stationary while being used, in

both the upper and lower guides or supports will be made a suitable notch or notches, I, into which the upper and lower rounds of the ladder will sink or catch, and thus the ladder is held in position. WVhile held in thisposition the edge of the ladder is turned directly toward the window, and when itis desired to turn the lower portion of the ladder at an angle to the upper one it will be necessary to first lift the ladder upward, so as to clear the lower round of the support or guide, and then itcan be turned so as to bear against the outer side of the support or guide, while the upper round will still be held in this notch, so as to prevent the ladder from having any movement whatever while persons are making their descent. The top round of the ladder may be provided with rollers, so as to move more easily. A notch should be made in curved connection attached to short part of ladder, so that when the ladder is swung around the loop or ring drops intocit and prevents the ladder from turning.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination of suitable curved guides or supports, A, a ladder which is adapted to be moved back and forth thereon, and suitable curved guides, O, placed in front of a lower window, so as to act as a guide and support to the lower end of the ladder, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the curved guides provided with suitable notches or depressions, with a ladder which is adapted to be moved back and forth upon the guides and to catch in these notches or recesses, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a suitable curved guide or support, upon which the ladder is adapted to be moved, with a ladder which is formed in two parts, the parts being swiveled together, substantially as shown.

4c. The combination of a suitable guide or support, a ladderwhich is made in two parts, the upper part being provided with a curved guide, and the lower part swiveled upon the upper part and attached to the curved guide, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

STEPHEN D. SHAPTUOK.

XVitn esses:

ORANGE S. SEARL, S. D. PARMENTER. 

